Fetteh kakraba: More than 120 private basic schools with about 2,500 pupils from across the country participated in the 20th UCMAS National Competition at the Pentecost Convention Centre. The event aimed to test the mental arithmetic skills, concentration, speed, and accuracy of pupils, ultimately identifying those with exceptional brain power and computational abilities.
According to Ghana Web, the Chairman of Parliament's Education Select Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who served as the Guest of Honour, advocated for the introduction of mental arithmetic programmes in public schools. He emphasized that such initiatives could greatly enhance children's concentration, mental alertness, and learning abilities. After observing a demonstration by some of the participating children, Nortsu-Kotoe expressed his admiration for their ability to focus and perform complex calculations amidst distractions.
Nortsu-Kotoe mentioned his intention to engage the Minister of Education in discussions about the programme and encourage the Ministry to collaborate with organisers to pilot it in selected public schools. He believes that with equal opportunities and the right learning environment, public school pupils could perform on par with their private school counterparts.
The Education Select Committee Chairman also urged parents to consider enrolling their children in similar programmes, highlighting the potential benefits of improved concentration and mental alertness in various academic disciplines, including science.
Girish Gurbani, Director of Maurya Group, stated that the organisation is prepared to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to expand the UCMAS mental arithmetic and brain development programme to more schools nationwide. He expressed optimism that discussions with the Ministry would facilitate the programme's reach to more pupils across the country.
Gurbani noted that participation in the competition has continued to grow, with schools from diverse regions, including Bolgatanga, joining in. This year, UCMAS introduced additional recreational activities to enhance the learning experience, including a National League and a hoodie night for relaxation and interaction among participants.
He explained that the event, which previously included a one-night sleepover, now spans three nights, allowing children more time to compete and engage in various activities. This initiative by UCMAS aims to blend brain development with an enjoyable learning experience for children.